As an American, I have no cogitation of how utterly spoiled I am. Never has it occurred to me that-in my mind- a silver, golden and platinum spoon are perpetually in my mouth compared to other Countries. Hell, even compared to other people here in green, liberty, torch holding USA.

I have a friend who works a decent job. Is he happy with it? No. But he brings in about 300 dollars a week. That's 600 every two weeks and 1200 every month. If we lived in New York or California then that might be a problem. But we live in Toledo! He stays with his mother and only has to worry about his own food and his car payments. This guy is complaining!

Be it me not to envy, I look at him and say, "go to hell." Really! I'm working a job, and working my ass off writing little articles I have no interest in for my City's Newspaper, just to pay the rent, utilities and put food in the fridge. I'm not complaining, but he is.

Now hold on. I know God doesn't give us more than we can handle. Maybe I shouldn't complain because my situation 'aint like Karate Joe's. He's a bum who walks down the streets kicking light poles and shouting, "KIIIIIYYYAAAAAA!!!" God knows I couldn't handle that.

Moving on... He wants to attend school. No problem with that. But every single semester he waits until the last minute and doesn't register. Then he expects to bitch to me on the phone for a half hour about how freaking depressed he is. It's only been like this since we graduated from high school. I think to myself, eventually he is going to grow up. Which leads to the whole topic of this blog:

When is it time to pull away from certain people? You have a friend that you've laughed with and talked with for years. You love the hell out of 'em. But now you want to write your novel. You've been putting it off for too long and decide it's time. Your friend, however, only has plans to go to work and come home. Maybe they go out to the bar on Friday night to drink a little. Whenever you bring them a chapter of your novel or suggest a book for them to read they say, "yeah, well I'll get to it." But you know they have no thoughts of doing it.

So you start to ask them about their goals and their dreams. You don't expect them to be interested in only your plans. When you ask them they say, "I don't know." You guys are getting older and your friend keeps complaining about how they'd like to open a business, or how freaking lonely they are. Yet, they never do anything remotely to accomplish these goals. This starts to wear you down.

How many people have had a spouse or lover who doesn't show any interest in your desired career? Not hobby, but career. It makes you ask yourself, should I even be in a relationship with someone who doesn't believe/support me?

You love your friend dearly, but when is it time to just let go?

Terry J. Snipes

Check out my other blogs:

SHARE LOVE

My writingUp.com Blog

My Person